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Historic transit legislation realizes CMAP’s vision for a stronger, more integrated system

Illinois has taken a historic step toward a more connected, reliable, and sustainable public transit system. The General Assembly approved Senate Bill 2111, establishing the stable funding and governance reforms needed to sustain and strengthen public transportation across northeastern Illinois. This averts the region’s looming transit fiscal cliff — a projected operating shortfall that threatened deep service cuts, fare increases, and economic impacts for millions of riders — and replaces it with a sustainable, long-term solution.

This transformative legislation delivers on the vision set forth in the Plan of Action for Regional Transit (PART) — a bold framework developed by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) at the request of the Illinois General Assembly. When lawmakers called for solutions to the region’s looming transit fiscal challenges, CMAP answered that call with a comprehensive plan built around one central question: What kind of transit system does our region want, and how do we make it happen?

Through extensive collaboration with the CMAP Board, MPO Policy Committee, transit agencies, state and local leaders, advocates, and riders, PART identified the reforms and revenue necessary to ensure a stable, seamless, and equitable regional transit network.

Senate Bill 2111 turns that vision into action by:

• Creating the Northern Illinois Transit Authority to replace the Regional Transportation Authority and modernize governance for the region’s transit providers — Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, and Pace.
• Providing approximately $1.5 billion in new annual funding to stabilize operations, support capital improvements, and expand service across the region.
• Advancing long-term goals for integrated fares, improved accessibility, and regional coordination.

This milestone reflects the power of regional collaboration and the value of CMAP’s data-driven, consensus-based approach to problem solving. It demonstrates what can happen when partners across jurisdictions and agencies work together to tackle complex challenges — and deliver real results for the people of northeastern Illinois.

CMAP extends its gratitude to Governor JB Pritzker, Representatives Eva-Dina Delgado and Kam Buckner, Senator Ram Villivalam, and all the legislative champions, advocates, and partners who helped make this possible. Additionally, we’re proud and grateful to our team of planners, analysts, and policy experts who helped craft the foundation for this success through PART. Because we all benefit when our region’s transit system is well-connected, accessible, reliable, and affordable.